POWERbreathe KH2 IMT The POWERbreathe KH2 IMT with Breathe-Link Medic Live Feedback Software applies the tried and trusted principles of resistance (weight) training to the inspiratory muscles. Think of it as ‘dumbbells for the diaphragm’. When the inspiratory muscles overload regularly for a period of a few weeks, they adapt. They become stronger and more resistant to fatigue. Activating stronger inspiratory muscles requires less effort during a given task, reducing dyspnoea. Dyspnoea, or breathlessness, is the main debilitating symptom of cardiorespiratory disease but it is also a common symptom in other conditions and in all cases, it has a profoundly impairing influence upon the quality of life and independence. Strengthening the inspiratory muscles has a universally beneficial effect upon dyspnoea and dyspnoea shows improvement by specific strength training of the inspiratory muscles. KH2 Training Resistance The POWERbreathe KH2 uses an electronically controlled, rapid-response valve to create a resistance to inhalation. Training against this resistance causes the inspiratory muscles to adapt, becoming stronger and more resistant to fatigue. This leads to reduced breathlessness and improved exercise tolerance and quality of life. As the patient breathes through the POWERbreathe KH2 you will notice that they gradually have to work harder to breathe in. This is the effect of resistance training acting on the inspiratory muscles (primarily the diaphragm and intercostal muscles). When breathing out, there is no resistance and the patient should breathe out normally. This allows the chest and breathing muscles to relax, naturally pushing the air from their lungs. The POWERbreathe KH2 training resistance matches the dynamic changes in breathing muscle strength throughout the breath. It can automatically adapt to increases in inspiratory muscle strength at the beginning of each training session. How are results displayed? Results display on screen following a training or assessment session, or shown in real-time using the Breathe-Link Medic PC software supplied. Parameters displayed include Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (cmH2O, highest 1 second average), Peak Inspiratory Flow (L/s), Training load (cmH2O), Average Power (Watts), Average inhaled volume (L) and Energy (Joules).
